Job opening: Healthcare Engineer - Energy
Salary: $113 306 - 147 301 per year
Published at: Jun 12 2024
Employment Type: Full-time
The position serves as the resident expert within the Central Texas VA Healthcare System in support of VISN 17 , VACO and Executive Office of the President execution of Law, Executive Order or VA Policy in which Energy Management is the primary concern. The incumbent functions as Energy Manager for the Central Texas VA Healthcare System, inclusive of Medical Center (VA) owned and leased space including Outpatient Clinics, CBOCs or administrative space operated by the Medical Center.
Duties
Major duties include, but are not limited to:
The Energy Manager will work in a collaborative effort with other Energy Managers within their VISN toward accomplishing VISN wide and VHA energy goals. The incumbent works closely with the VISN Capital Asset Manager providing technical support for VISN and National initiatives or programs. In addition, the incumbent provides technical and program support for the energy conservation programs at local National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Veteran Benefit Administration (VBA), Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling), and Joint DOD/VA sites. The incumbent will have the ability to serve on VISN and National Committees or Task Forces as effort to strengthens VA overall Energy Programs and develop new initiative or innovative ideas for future strategic planning.
The incumbent will conduct HVAC, lighting, building, steam generation system, domestic hot water, and other energy audits within the VISN using industry standard energy analysis tools to minimize energy consumption; He/she must be proficient in the use of energy survey equipment (light meters, power factor meters, wattmeter, and anemometer) and computerized energy survey software (FEDS, ASEAM, or equal computer applications).
The incumbent works with the operations and maintenance sections to analyze and improve utility system energy performance, initiate, and provide support for the development of operational procedures and controls, including but not limited to the following:
- Manages VISN17 Retro Commissioning Projects, Energy Audits and Energy projects.
- Monitor utility systems components looking for significant changes in consumption rates or quantities.
- Evaluate data compiled from the computerized energy management system, looking for trends, such as under and over utilized equipment.
- Monitor control and alarm set points within the computerized energy management systems.
- Work with energy plant personnel to monitor/improve efficiency of boiler and chiller operations.
- Monitor natural gas prices to determine when utilizing alternate fuel such as fuel oil in facility boilers is of economic benefit to the facility.
- Determine local set back parameters for unoccupied spaces after hours.
- Evaluate existing energy savings systems, such as glycol loops, heat wheels and solar panels and recommending appropriate operational changes.
- Review and monitor contracts and contractor performance for water treatment such as softeners for boilers, chillers and food preparation or cleaning equipment for appropriateness and billing accuracy.
- Manage the building/energy management system(s) and utility metering initiatives (electrical, water, etc.) ensuring proper use, expansion, and administration.
The position performs evaluations on medical care programs and services to ensure assigned projects are aligned and support the healthcare organization's needs and requirements for expansion of service and/or efficient flow of operation. The position has to learn how specialized patient services are performed for that area to become a knowledgeable proponent to provide direction to designers in how to meet users goals and intention but still manage the expectations of the stakeholders within limits of budget/space allocated for the
project.
Performs an array of pre-planning activities that include coordinating cross-departmental planning meetings, developing Scopes of Work, conceptual project designs, and government cost estimates, and ensures project documents are produced in accordance with VA Contracting and Information Security requirements.
Reviews A/E documentations as the technical authority and quality assurance for the medical center for various Minor, Non-Recurring Maintenance (NRM), Leased projects and other construction projects related to submissions of reports, drawings, specifications and literature consisting of adequacy of content, correctness, consistency with VA standards and goals, design principles and guidelines, cost effectiveness, compliance to healthcare codes and VA standards, and professional appearance. Recommends sound advice and presents alternatives that will enable management to accomplish the desired results or objectives within the framework of sound engineering practices and standards of project execution.
The position is responsible for training the facility maintenance staff on new equipment or complex utility systems to ensure the staff have the comprehensions, qualifications and understanding of the systems to maintain and operate. The position provides guidance to management and staff for TJC Accreditation for Medical Centers
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Education:
(1) Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or Architecture. To be acceptable, the curriculum must be from a school with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Engineering Accreditation Commission (excludes engineering technology) or National Council of Architectural Registration Boards curriculum. Examples of acceptable engineering and architectural degrees include, but are not limited to: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture and Architectural Engineering. Titles may vary from educational institutions and change over time (Transcripts Required); OR
(2) Evidence of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination with a bachelor's degree. Evidence can be in the form of an Engineering in Training certificate issued from any State, the District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico, or test results from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) identifying a passing score (Supporting documentation required, attach with your application); OR
(3) Evidence of current professional registration or licensure as a Professional Engineer or Architect. Evidence of current professional registration or licensure can be from any State, the District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico. (Supporting documentation required, attach with your application)
Foreign Education: To be creditable, engineering, architecture or related education completed outside the U.S. must be submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to a Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b. of this appendix.
English Language Proficiency. Healthcare Engineer candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations GS-13:
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
KSAs: In addition to meeting the experience requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of current and evolving concepts and principles of general engineering to resolve novel or obscure problems; extend and modify techniques; develop new approaches that guide other engineers who solve a variety of technical problems; and/or apply new, innovative or experimental advanced engineering theories, developments or practices.
(b) Skill in construction, capital planning and multiple healthcare system portfolio management inclusive of budget development and tracking.
(c) Skill to collaborate with persons having diverse viewpoints, goals or objectives to achieve a common understanding of the problem and a satisfactory solution by justifying, defending, negotiating or settling controversial and far-reaching matters through active participation in conferences, meetings or presentations.
(d) Ability to interpret broad guidelines and exercise considerable judgment and ingenuity in interpreting and adapting existing guides, developing new and improved hypotheses, concepts or approaches to previously tested or reported and/or in developing new policies that advance the organization.
(e) Ability to coordinate and interact with regional facilities, national and corresponding staff for the implementation and coordination of policies and program plans to apply prioritization methodologies that align facilities' capital asset requests and develop infrastructure options that result in the efficacious use of regional level capital strategic plans.
(f) Ability to adapt and apply trends in healthcare delivery systems that impact long-term capital assets (such as aging equipment and physical plants) for regionally integrated healthcare systems.
(g) Ability to consult and collaborate with all organizational levels in a national healthcare organization, outside organizations and businesses regarding both strategic and financial activities of a regional healthcare organization.
(h) Ability to implement and/or sustain a capital asset and construction program that meets healthcare facility related standards, codes, policies and regulations inclusive of state and local codes.
Preferred Experience:
3 years experience managing construction projects for the VA or in medical facilities as a Contracting Officers Representative
3 years experience managing energy related projects or projects with significant energy related components including but not limited to: ESPC, UESC, Solar power, retro-commissioning, ground source heat pump, electric vehicle charging stations, Central Plant projects, etc.
1 year experience with Utility billing, negotiating utility contracts, etc.
2 years experience training/instructing maintenance staff in the energy efficient operation of high energy use equipment. Evaluation of high energy use equipment for conservation opportunities
References: VA Handbook 5005/150 Part II Appendix G72 dated March 18, 2022.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.
Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here:
http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:
https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
Contacts
- Address VA Central Texas Health Care System
1901 Veterans Memorial Drive
Temple, TX 76504
US
- Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
- Email: [email protected]
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